Radio

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Radio

PG

Released Oct 24, 2003

1h 49m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

35%

Tomatometer

120 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

In a racially divided town, coach Jones (Ed Harris) spots a mentally disabled African-American student named Radio (Cuba Gooding Jr.) near his practice field and is inspired to befriend him. Soon, Radio is Jones' loyal assistant, and principal Daniels (Alfre Woodard) happily notes that Radio's self-confidence is skyrocketing. But things start to sour when Jones begins taking guff from fans who feel that his devotion to Radio is getting in the way of the team's quest for a championship.

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Critics Consensus

The story is heavy on syrupy uplift and turns Radio into a saint/cuddly pet.

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David Germain

Associated Press

Gooding and Harris' characters are too pure and high-minded to exist in the real world. Yet the small-town sense of community and compassion they evoke is so goodhearted, the movie manages an amiable, if fleeting, rise in spirits.

Nov 12, 2018

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Lesson of kindness permeates inspiring true story.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 28, 2010

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Ed Park

Village Voice

Based-on- a-true-story kitschfest.

Oct 28, 2003

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Micheal Compton

Bowling Green Daily News

It's a film that has good intentions, [but] it's just unable to deliver, mainly because Gooding is never believable.

Nov 15, 2019

Full Review

Kaleem Aftab

The List

This is a case of cinema killing the radio star.

Rated: 2/5

Apr 18, 2019

Full Review

Joel Siegel

Good Morning America

Leave it to Hollywood to make a movie called Radio that would play better on TV.

Rated: C+

Jan 5, 2018

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Mitchell S

It's a feel good movie that illustrates how the world should be. Cuba Gooding, Jr. proves a superb actor, being able to play a mentally disabled person so well!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/14/25

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Jeremi B

Radio reste, même des années plus tard, un très bon film. C’est une belle leçon de gentillesse, d’acceptation et d’humanité, qui fait chaud au cœur. En le revoyant, je retrouve la même émotion qu’à la première fois : ce genre de film qui te redonne le sourire et te rappelle l’importance de la bienveillance. Basé sur une histoire vraie, il parvient à transmettre des émotions sincères et positives, sans tomber dans l’excès ou le mélodrame. Un film simple, touchant et intemporel.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/22/25

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Audience Member

This had me getting emotional a little bit. It's such a good story about radio help out for the football team with coach and now james graduated to become coach to train players.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/07/25

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Chris P

Awesome movie--very inspiring, well written, well acted. Watched it again, one of those movies that just doesn't get old. Read a review which said the movie was offensive. As one having a brother who is mentally handicapped/challenged I found no offence whatsoever.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/08/24

Full Review

Ian C

Ghastly piece of unbelievable feel-good garbage. This film is offensive on so many levels. Gooding can’t act to save his life

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

10/25/24

Full Review

Joseph J

2024 and this movie is still fire

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/01/24

Full Review

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Michael Tollin

Director

Cuba Gooding Jr.

Radio

Ed Harris

Harold Jones

Alfre Woodard

Principal Daniels

S. Epatha Merkerson

Maggie

Brent Sexton

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Synopsis

In a racially divided town, coach Jones (Ed Harris) spots a mentally disabled African-American student named Radio (Cuba Gooding Jr.) near his practice field and is inspired to befriend him. Soon, Radio is Jones' loyal assistant, and principal Daniels (Alfre Woodard) happily notes that Radio's self-confidence is skyrocketing. But things start to sour when Jones begins taking guff from fans who feel that his devotion to Radio is getting in the way of the team's quest for a championship.

Director: Michael Tollin
Producer: Michael Tollin, Brian Robbins, Herb Gains
Screenwriter: Mike Rich
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Revolution Studios
Rating: PG (Thematic Elements|Mild Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 24, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 25, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $52.3M
Runtime: 1h 49m
Sound Mix: Surround, DTS, SDDS, Dolby Digital

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